A cut-off low pressure system started developing south-west of the country today (September 1), resulting in isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in the central and southern parts of the country.

These include the Western Cape, Northern Cape, western parts of North-West, Free State as well the Eastern Cape Provinces.

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Some of these storms are expected to become severe in places tonight, with the potential for strong damaging winds as well as large hail.

Strong winds are also expected over most parts of the central interior, mainly in North-West and the Free State as well as the Cape provinces. 

Along the coasts, strong south-easterly to easterly winds will reach a gale force (65-70 km/h) from Table Bay and all the way along the southern coastal belt up to Port Alfred. As a result of these persisting windy conditions, seas will deteriorate substantially with high seas and wave heights in an excess of 6m can be expected already from this evening between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay.

Due to the easterly orientation of the waves, normally sheltered bays and beaches will be exposed to high waves and this will pose serious difficulties.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2, the south-western parts of the country can expect heavy downpours with potential for flooding over the Cape Metropole areas, Overberg and in places over the Cape Winelands. Otherwise, windy conditions are expected to persist in many places over the Cape provinces, the Free State and North-West Province.

Gale force winds will also continue along most of the country’s coastal belt, before moderating later in the day. The cut-off low system will finally exit the country during Thursday, resulting in overall clearance of weather conditions.

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